Psilocybin
Oregon passed a measure to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin or the compound found in “magic” mushrooms in November 2020. While it is not legal for therapist to hand out psilocybin yet, this is a place to start gathering the information needed to get started.
Leaders at the OHA say the recent research in controlled settings and clinical trials shows that psilocybin can alleviate Major Depressive Disorder with lasting effects. There’s also some research showing it alleviates anxiety — particularly anxiety associated with a terminal illness.
What Is a Microdose? A microdose is generally considered to be one-20th to one-tenth of a recreational dose. If someone’s seeing things, he or she has taken too much. Most people microdose mushrooms or LSD, but other drugs have also become popular of late. Microdosing is a recent phenomenon where users take a very low dose of psychedelic substances, semi-regularly.
Some people will microdose every three or four days, while others might microdose perhaps several times a month.
But microdose users aren’t seeking a short intense hallucinogenic ‘high,’ and want to avoid changing their perception or consciousness through the drug.
Instead, they hope these regular tiny doses will prompt long-term improvements, help them think more clearly, become more creative and productive, and expand their mental and emotional health.
What to expect from a microdose of psilocybin:
The research into how microdosing works neurologically is limited, but, according to a database of more than 1,500 reports collected by Fadiman through his microdosing website, people report that microdosing can in subtle, but important ways impact how they move through their day — they say they just feel lighter, more appreciative, more observant, more creative, or more grateful, among other effects. Fadiman gives examples, informed by these reports, such as, on a day when microdosing, you might habitually reach for those chips or that glass of wine only to realize that you’d genuinely rather have a salad or cup of tea. Microdosing can just provide a bit more awareness or flexibility around changing unhealthy patterns.
Instructions for Microdosing
Microdosing psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, involves taking a sub-perceptual amount to potentially experience subtle cognitive, emotional, or creative benefits while minimizing the risk of strong psychedelic effects or side effects. Here are detailed instructions for microdosing psilocybin, along with some potential side effects to be aware of:
Important Note: Before starting a psilocybin microdosing regimen, it's essential to research and consider the legal status of psilocybin in your area, as it is illegal in many places. Additionally, consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have a history of mental health issues or are taking medication.
Materials Needed:
While microdosing is designed to minimize side effects, individuals may react differently. Some potential side effects to be aware of include:
Detailed Instructions for Macro Dosing Psilocybin
1. Check the Legal and Health Implications:
Additional Side Effect: Cold SensationsGetting Cold:
Remember to respect the substance, start with a lower dose to understand your tolerance and sensitivity, and always prioritize safety over the intensity of the experience. Also, consider legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of psilocybin and other psychedelics.
Oregon passed a measure to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin or the compound found in “magic” mushrooms in November 2020. While it is not legal for therapist to hand out psilocybin yet, this is a place to start gathering the information needed to get started.
Leaders at the OHA say the recent research in controlled settings and clinical trials shows that psilocybin can alleviate Major Depressive Disorder with lasting effects. There’s also some research showing it alleviates anxiety — particularly anxiety associated with a terminal illness.
What Is a Microdose? A microdose is generally considered to be one-20th to one-tenth of a recreational dose. If someone’s seeing things, he or she has taken too much. Most people microdose mushrooms or LSD, but other drugs have also become popular of late. Microdosing is a recent phenomenon where users take a very low dose of psychedelic substances, semi-regularly.
Some people will microdose every three or four days, while others might microdose perhaps several times a month.
But microdose users aren’t seeking a short intense hallucinogenic ‘high,’ and want to avoid changing their perception or consciousness through the drug.
Instead, they hope these regular tiny doses will prompt long-term improvements, help them think more clearly, become more creative and productive, and expand their mental and emotional health.
What to expect from a microdose of psilocybin:
The research into how microdosing works neurologically is limited, but, according to a database of more than 1,500 reports collected by Fadiman through his microdosing website, people report that microdosing can in subtle, but important ways impact how they move through their day — they say they just feel lighter, more appreciative, more observant, more creative, or more grateful, among other effects. Fadiman gives examples, informed by these reports, such as, on a day when microdosing, you might habitually reach for those chips or that glass of wine only to realize that you’d genuinely rather have a salad or cup of tea. Microdosing can just provide a bit more awareness or flexibility around changing unhealthy patterns.
Instructions for Microdosing
Microdosing psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, involves taking a sub-perceptual amount to potentially experience subtle cognitive, emotional, or creative benefits while minimizing the risk of strong psychedelic effects or side effects. Here are detailed instructions for microdosing psilocybin, along with some potential side effects to be aware of:
Important Note: Before starting a psilocybin microdosing regimen, it's essential to research and consider the legal status of psilocybin in your area, as it is illegal in many places. Additionally, consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have a history of mental health issues or are taking medication.
Materials Needed:
- Dried Psilocybin Mushrooms: Purchase high-quality dried mushrooms from a reliable source. Varieties like Psilocybe cubensis are commonly used.
- Digital Scale: To accurately measure your microdose, you'll need a digital scale that measures in grams.
- Capsules or Edible Papers: Some people prefer to encapsulate their microdoses to ensure consistent dosing, while others use edible papers or simply ingest the dried mushroom pieces.
- Determine Your Dosage: A typical starting microdose of dried psilocybin mushrooms ranges from 0.1 to 0.3 grams (100-300 milligrams). Begin with the lowest dose and gradually adjust based on your personal experience. The goal is to take a dose that has subtle effects but is not perceptually psychedelic.
- Prepare Your Mushrooms: Grind or crush the dried mushrooms into a fine powder. You can use a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder. Alternatively, you can use whole small mushroom pieces.
- Measure Your Dose: Using your digital scale, measure the desired dose accurately. If you're encapsulating the dose, fill capsules with the measured amount. If using edible papers or whole pieces, take the measured dose.
- Establish a Schedule: Many people microdose on a schedule, such as every third day. Some follow the Fadiman protocol, which involves taking one microdose every three days (Day 1: Microdose, Day 2: Rest, Day 3: Rest, repeat). Find a schedule that works for you, but avoid consecutive days to prevent building tolerance.
- Keep a Journal: Maintain a journal to record your experiences. Note any changes in mood, creativity, productivity, or overall well-being. This will help you track the effects and determine if microdosing is beneficial for you.
While microdosing is designed to minimize side effects, individuals may react differently. Some potential side effects to be aware of include:
- Mild Nausea: Some people may experience slight stomach discomfort or nausea, especially when taking psilocybin on an empty stomach. Eating a small meal before dosing can help alleviate this.
- Changes in Mood: While microdosing is intended to improve mood and well-being, it can sometimes lead to emotional sensitivity or mood fluctuations. Monitor your emotional state and adjust your dosage if necessary.
- Fatigue: A small number of individuals report feeling tired or fatigued after microdosing. If this happens, consider reducing your dosage or altering your schedule.
- Increased Sensory Perception: You may notice heightened sensory perception, colors appearing more vibrant, or enhanced appreciation for nature and art. These effects are generally considered positive but can be disorienting for some.
- Interaction with Medications: Psilocybin may interact with certain medications. Consult with a healthcare professional if you are taking any prescription drugs.
- Tolerance: With frequent microdosing, some individuals may develop a tolerance to psilocybin. This can be mitigated by taking breaks between doses.
- Psychological Effects: While microdosing aims to avoid strong psychedelic effects, individuals with a history of anxiety or other mental health issues should be cautious, as psilocybin can occasionally exacerbate these conditions.
Detailed Instructions for Macro Dosing Psilocybin
1. Check the Legal and Health Implications:
- Legal Status: Ensure you are aware of and adhere to the legal status of psilocybin in your location.
- Health Check: Consult a physician to ensure you are physically and mentally fit to consume psilocybin.
- Quality Check: Obtain psilocybin from a reliable source, ensuring it's free from contaminants.
- Dosage: Be aware of the dosage, as psilocybin content can vary between different mushroom species and individual organisms.
- Dosage Amount: Typical macro doses range from 1g to 5g of dried mushrooms, depending on the desired intensity and individual tolerance.
- Preparation: Psilocybin can be consumed directly, in capsule form, or brewed in tea.
- Environment: Ensure you’re in a safe, comfortable, and controlled environment.
- Mindset: Be in a positive mental state.
- Eating: Consume the mushrooms on an empty stomach to maximize absorption and reduce nausea.
- Hydrate: Drink water to stay hydrated.
- Time: Set aside enough time for the experience, typically 4-6 hours.
- Support: Have a trusted person with you if it’s your first time or if you’re taking a higher dose.
- Nausea: A common side effect, can be mitigated by making tea or using ginger.
- Coordination Issues: Impaired movement, so avoid operating heavy machinery or driving.
- Anxiety and Paranoia: Can be exacerbated by the psychoactive effects.
- Hallucinations and Distorted Reality: Visual and auditory hallucinations are common.
- Emotional Sensitivity: Enhanced emotions, both positive and negative.
- Unpredictable Mood Swings: Can occur based on the individual’s mental state and environment.
- Integration: Reflect on and integrate the experience into your life. Consider seeking the help of a therapist or counselor skilled in psychedelic integration.
- Rest: Get plenty of rest and sleep to allow the body and mind to recover.
Additional Side Effect: Cold SensationsGetting Cold:
- Physical Sensations: Users might experience sensations of cold, including shivering and chills, during the onset and duration of a psilocybin experience. This can be attributed to the body’s physiological response to the substance.
- Clothing: Wear warm, comfortable clothing. Layering can be particularly effective, allowing you to add or remove layers as needed.
- Blankets: Have blankets available to wrap yourself in if you start feeling cold.
- Temperature Control: Ensure the room or environment where you’re having your experience is at a comfortable temperature. Use heaters or air conditioners to regulate the temperature as needed.
- Avoid Drafts: Make sure windows and doors are closed to avoid drafts, or choose a location where temperature can be easily controlled.
- Movement: If it’s safe and appropriate, light physical activity can help raise body temperature. Make sure this is done in a controlled manner and environment.
- Warm Liquids: Consuming warm liquids, like herbal tea, can help raise body temperature and alleviate the sensation of cold.
- Physiological Response: Understanding that feeling cold can be part of the body’s physiological response to psilocybin can be reassuring. It’s typically temporary and subsides as the effects of the substance wane.
- Mental State: Sometimes, the mental and emotional state can influence physical sensations. Staying calm and relaxed can sometimes mitigate the intensity of these sensations.
Remember to respect the substance, start with a lower dose to understand your tolerance and sensitivity, and always prioritize safety over the intensity of the experience. Also, consider legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of psilocybin and other psychedelics.
